Central anticonvulsant effects of magnesium sulfate on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures
Article Abstract:
The anticonvulsant magnesium sulfate may inhibit seizures by blocking activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Previous studies have suggested that NMDA receptors not only transmit but also amplify excitatory messages in the nervous system. They also appear to play a role in many neurologic disorders including epilepsy and strokes. Twenty micrograms of NMDA were injected into the hippocampus of rat brains to induce seizures. The average time until seizure onset was 91 seconds in rats that did not receive magnesium sulfate and 444 seconds in rats that received injections of magnesium sulfate prior to injection with NMDA. In rats that received magnesium sulfate injections directly in the brain, the average time until onset of seizure following injection with NMDA was 607 seconds. Sixty percent of rats that were injected with both NMDA and magnesium had seizures compared with all of the rats that were injected with NMDA but did not receive magnesium sulfate.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1993
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Effect of magnesium sulfate on excitatory amino acid receptors in the rat brain: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channel complex
Article Abstract:
The effects of magnesium sulfate treatment within the rat brain may provide clues to how this treatment helps to control convulsions. Groups of six rats each were treated with either magnesium sulfate or saline either over four hours, one day or two-week time periods. Sections of brain tissue were analyzed for amino acid activity, particularly at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) binding sites. The greatest treatment effect was seen in the hippocampus, an area of the human brain with the most NMDA binding sites. There was a reduction in glutamate binding after one day of treatment but in glycine binding only after long-term treatment.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1996
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Fetal rat brain damage caused by maternal seizure activity: prevention by magnesium sulfate
Article Abstract:
Seizures in pregnant rats can cause brain damage in the pup but this can be prevented by giving the mother rat magnesium. Epilepsy during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of cerebral palsy, mental retardation and fetal death.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1999
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